As a result, drivers on soft tyres did 4 attempts (warm up lap, hot lap and in lap for each attempt), and drivers on hard tyres did 3 attempts (warm up lap, 2 hot laps and in lap for attempt). Only one type of tyre could be used (soft or hard).

Yep the issue with the current one is the lack of quality at the back of the grid, Q1 is rarely worth it as you know right away the the cars that are going to be at the back, maybe they should increase the numbers in the drops.

I still prefer the 1-hour do-what-you-want format. Unlike most, I enjoyed the anticipation of waiting for the top teams to go out and actually getting to see the smaller teams do their runs since they were the only guys on track in the early part of the hour. The whole thing seemed much more suspenseful back then, at least to me.

Interestingly, there was a heck of a lot less whining from drivers about getting blocked by slower drivers even though the track was more crowded than downtown London in the final minutes.

I liked the current format for the first few seasons, but then it just got boring to me. Now I fast forward through the entire 1st session and most of the second.

I think overall the current format is really good (minus the tires thing, as noted) but I'm still amazed that it took so long to get rid of the ridiculously hopeless burning fuel thing and race fuel runs in Q3.

The main advantage of the 12 laps format was that we could often see lots of full onboard laps. Currently there is too much stuff happening at the same time for that.

The reason they changed the format was because nothing would happen in the first 30 minutes or so other than Minardi running around.

As opposed to the current qualifying format, where everybody fast forwards through the first part of the qualifying because nobody except for today's "Minardis" is actually trying to set a serious time.

As opposed to the current qualifying format, where everybody fast forwards through the first part of the qualifying because nobody except for today's "Minardis" is actually trying to set a serious time.

No contest, mate. Q1 is already interesting, first half of 12 laps format was not.

First of all, a midfield driver falls everytime, and now midfield guys are more relevant, they are closer to the leader´s pace. Second, some big names go forward using one set of options, others do not need it, and it´s interesting to see who manages it. Third, big names get it wrong sometimes and go home trying to go throught not using option rubber... eliminations are not too common, but tense moments where everything depends on one last clean lap are very common.

As opposed to the current qualifying format, where everybody fast forwards through the first part of the qualifying because nobody except for today's "Minardis" is actually trying to set a serious time.

But that's not the fault of the system, but the lack of quality at the lower end of the field.

As opposed to the current qualifying format, where everybody fast forwards through the first part of the qualifying because nobody except for today's "Minardis" is actually trying to set a serious time.

....and got caught out every now and then like Webber, Raikkonen, Schumacher and a few other people.

This year it'll be even more nervous with HRT out of the equation - there will be 6 cars out after Q1 so at least 2 cars from midfield teams or possibly even the top teams if they don't get their act together -or their tyres working- in Q1.

I agree today's format is probably the best. The old one hour 12 lap anytime format did have it's quiet moments, however I enjoyed the tension of that. What I would like to see now is the final top ten shoot out to be single lap running.

I agree today's format is probably the best. The old one hour 12 lap anytime format did have it's quiet moments, however I enjoyed the tension of that. What I would like to see now is the final top ten shoot out to be single lap running.

I second that! You get one lap to push, how adventurous do you dare to be?

....and got caught out every now and then like Webber, Raikkonen, Schumacher and a few other people.

This year it'll be even more nervous with HRT out of the equation - there will be 6 cars out after Q1 so at least 2 cars from midfield teams or possibly even the top teams if they don't get their act together -or their tyres working- in Q1.

Yep, with 2 of the non new 2010 teams cars dropping out in Q1 it'll definitely be more happening. Who knows, maybe Caterham and Marussia's pace will be enough to provide more than the odd scare this year.

For me its always funny when people discuss "outqualifying" teammates when they forget that 2003-2009 you had to qualify with race fuel.

For me, the best format we have is now. The pre 2003 format was better then the 03-05 with one lap, but still no so good. You had to wait soo long for the good cars to come out. I remeber Ferraris not coming out for first 30 min, because they didnt want to waste their 12 laps limit.

The 03-05 wasnt good, as already mentioned - it was unfair because of the changing conditions.

No contest, mate. Q1 is already interesting, first half of 12 laps format was not.

First of all, a midfield driver falls everytime, and now midfield guys are more relevant, they are closer to the leader´s pace. Second, some big names go forward using one set of options, others do not need it, and it´s interesting to see who manages it. Third, big names get it wrong sometimes and go home trying to go throught not using option rubber... eliminations are not too common, but tense moments where everything depends on one last clean lap are very common.

I loved the 1hr format. The 12 laps were introduced because of the smaller teams were not able to afford so many sticky qualifying tires. With the six sets rule, you could have unlimited Q, you still only have six sets. Maybe they get used.
But I really miss those Q battles. Granted, the first half hour could be boring, but the commentator would bring you up to speed about the rumours before the real action started. Oh, do I miss those days. It was uncomplicated and everyone had an equal shot. No sissy penalties for blocking etc.

As opposed to the current qualifying format, where everybody fast forwards through the first part of the qualifying because nobody except for today's "Minardis" is actually trying to set a serious time.

If they (front runners) aren't trying, then how come they get knocked out?

As opposed to the current qualifying format, where everybody fast forwards through the first part of the qualifying because nobody except for today's "Minardis" is actually trying to set a serious time.

If they (front runners) aren't trying, then how come they get knocked out?